<h2>Name</h2>
<p>
The Surah takes its name from the two letters of the alphabet with
which it begins.
</p>
<h2>Period of Revelation</h2>
<p>
A study of the style shows that it was either sent down during the
last stage of the middle Makkan period, or it is one of those Surahs,
which were sent down during the last stage of the Holy Prophet's stay
at Makkah.
</p>
<h2>Subject Matter and Theme</h2>
<p>
The object of the discourse is to warn the Quraish of the consequences
of not believing in the Prophethood of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and
blessings be upon him) and of resisting and opposing it with tyranny,
ridicule and mockery. The aspect of the warning is dominant and
conspicuous although along with repeatedly giving the warnings,
arguments also have been given for the correct understanding by the
people. 
</p>
<p>
Arguments have been given for three things: (1) For <em>Tauhid</em>,
from the signs of the universe and from common sense; (2) for the
Hereafter, from the signs of the universe, from common sense and from
man's own existence itself; and (3) for the Prophethood of the
Prophet Muhammad, from the fact that he was facing all kinds of
hardships in the preaching of his message without any selfish motive,
and from this that whatever he was inviting the people to was rational
and reasonable, accepting which was in the people's own interest. 
</p>
<p>
On
the strength of these arguments, themes of reprobation, reproof and
warning have been presented repeatedly in a highly forceful manner, so
that hearts are shaken up and those which have any capacity for
accepting the truth left in them should not remain unmoved. 
</p>
<p>
Imam Ahmad,
Abu Daud, Nasai, Ibn Majah and Tabarani have related on the authority
of Hadrat Ma'qil bin Yasar that the Holy Prophet said:"Surah Ya Sin is
the heart of the Qur'an."This is similar to describing the Surah
Al Fatiha has the <em>Umm al Qur'an</em> (the essence or core of the Qur'an),
because Al Fatihah contains the sum and substance of the teaching of the
whole Quran. The Surah Ya Sin has been called the throbbing heart of the
Qur'an because it presents the message of the Qur'an in a most
forceful manner, which breaks the inertness and stirs the spirit of
man to action. 
</p>
<p>
Again Imam Ahmad, Aba Da'ud and Ibn Majah have related
from the same Ma'qil bin Yasar that the Holy Prophet said: "Recite
Surah Ya Sin to the dying ones among you." The object is not only to
revive and refresh the whole Islamic creed in the mind of the dying
person but also bring before him, in particular, a complete picture of
the Hereafter so that he may know what stages he would have to pass
through after crossing the stage of this worldly life. In view of this,
it would be desirable that along with the recitation of the Surah Ya
Sin its translation also is made for the benefit of the person who
does not know Arabic so that the purpose of the admonition is duly
fulfilled.
</p>

